Thermal manifolding apparatus



Jan. 23, 1940.

J. Q. SHERMAN THERMAL MANIFOLDING APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1956 2sheets-she`et 1 Mgg www wiwi ATTORNEY Jan. 23, 1940. J. Q. SHERMANTHERMAL MANIFOLDING APPARATUS Filed May4, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 2 @MKV ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 23, 194e 2,187,766 THERMAL MANIFOLDING APPARATUS.l'ohn Q. Sherman, Dayton, Ohio; Katherine M. Sherman, William C.Sherman, and Wellmore B. Turner, executors of said John Q. Sherman,deceased Application May 4, 1936, Serial No. 77,722

23 Claims.

'I'his invention is an autographic manifolding apparatus and moreparticularly a thermally conditioned writing tablet; for activating thenormally inert transfer material which forms the 6 subject matter ofcompanion application, Serial Number 74,511, led April 15, 1936, and afurther development of the idea. disclosed in my Patent No. 2,057,696dated October 20, 1936.

Conventional carbon or transfer material be- 10 ing responsive atnatural atmospheric temperature rubs oil easily leaving smudges andsmears on contacted surfaces and soils the fingers of the operator andproduces undesired marks and impressions as result of accidentalpressure, friction, or impact. Carbon backed record sheets and salesslips, the reverse sides of which are directly coated with transfermaterial, in lieu of interleaved separate transfer sheets, areespecially objectionable for the above reasons, and because they arenecessarily handled more than interleaved carbon sheets. Such transfermedia whether in separate sheets or coated directly on the backs ofrecord sheets and slips must be kept in a soft, more or less tackycondition'for best results, and quickly deteriorate with age. Toovercome these and other objections, there has been developed normallyinert transfer material which is noncommunicable under ordinaryconditions and at atmospheric temperatures. Preparatory to use suchinert transfer media must 4be preconditioned or activated by appropriatetreatment according to the particular composition of the transfer media.kThe preliminary treatment may comprise exposure to vapors or fumes,subjection tc action 'of a chemical reagent or electrical influence, erby application of heat. The transfer media forming the subject matter ofthe companion application for patent aforementioned pertains to thelatter thermally responsive composition.

The herein described apparatus comprises a heated writing tablet forconditioning such thermal responsive material for -autographicmanifolding operations. The writing tablet is provided with heatermea/ns which may be electrical,

chemical, or combustible fuel. Preferably, although not necessarily,associated with the heated tablet is a compartment for a supply ofrecord 5o material and for inscribed sheets.

The heated writing tablet may be embodied in a. portablev unit such asshown and described in copending application, Serial No. 741,580, filedAugust 27, 1934, and Serial No. 741,579, filed 55 August 27, 1934, or itmay comprise a component part of a 'conventional counter type ofmanifolding autographic register.

The object of the invention is to provide a thermal unit for activatingnormally inert transfer material, of simple construction, which may be 5economically manufactured, and which Will be eicient in operation,having relatively few parts, and unlikely to get out of order,

A further object of the invention is to provide a thermal unit whichwill afford a uniformly l0 distributed heat over a prescribed area.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convenient unit forpreconditioning normally inert transfer material which will be ofrelatively small, compact form, and which embodies the w advantageousstructural features and meritorious characteristics herein mentioned.

\ A further object of the invention is to provide a thermal unit whichmay be embodied in either a portable manifolding register or in atypical 20 counter type autographic register.l

A further object of the invention is to provide a thermal unit which maybe heated by either of several energizing means.

With the above primary and other incidental 25 objects in View as willmore fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter set forth andde- 30 scribed in the claims.

In the drawings wherein are illustrated the preferred, but lobviouslynot necessarily .the pnl!! forms of embodiment of the invention rlg. .iis a perspective View of an electrically heated port- 35 ablemanifolding register embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the appli- 40 cation of chemicallyreactive heating means.

Fig. 4 is a. perspective view of a typical counter type autographicregister in which the present heated writing tablet is embodied.

Fig. 5 illustrates a set of carbon back forms 45 such as may be usedwith the register illustrated in the drawings and forming the subjectmatter hereof.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a removable protective cover which maybe applied over the heated writing tablet to conserve heat when theregister is not in use.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

While the invention may be embodied in varis;

ous forms of portable registers, ln which either cut or continuous formsare used, such as are shown in the copending applications for patentbefore mentioned, for illustrative purposes and with no intent to undulylimit or restrict either the scope or application of the invention,there is herein shown and described a very simple style of portableregister employing cut forms.

In the drawings, I is a box like housing the top 2 of which forms awriting tablet for superposed record sheets 3. The reverse sides of thesheets 3 are coated with normally inert transfer media 4. In lieu ofapplying the transfer media directly to the record sheets 3, independenttransfer sheets similarly coated may be interposed therebetween.

Located beneath the writing tablet 2 is a series of electrical heatingelements 5, to be connected through a flexible cable 6 with a suitablesource of electrical energy. The heater elements 5 are preferablyenclosed in a compartment I formed by a partition 8 in spaced relationwith the writing tablet. Beneath this heater compartment is amplestorage space for a supply of coated record sheets, or separate transfersheets and record sheets as may be desired. 'Ihe outside walls of thebox-like housing I, other than the top are preferably thermallyinsulated as at 9. The partition 8 may if desired be also insulated, butis preferably uninsulated to permit transmission of heat therethrough tothe supply of sheets awaiting use in the storage space. Thus the coatedsheets are tempered preparatory to being conditioned or activated on theheated Vwriting tablet 2.

The storage space is preferably divided to maintain separation of theunused and inscribed sheets. In the present instance a drawer IIIimmediately beneath the heated partition 8' receives the unused sheetswhere they are preliminarily warmed or tempered. Beneath the drawer is astorage space II into which inscribed sheets may be inserted through aslot I2 in a marginal wall of the box I.

For use multiple sheets are disposed in superposed registering relationon top of the heated Writing tablet 2 Where they are temporarily held bya spring clip I3. The electrically energized heater elements 5 transmitthrough the writing tablet sufticient heat to condition or activate theseveral sheets thereon.

Thereupon any inscription, design or indicia impressed on the topmostsheet 3 will be reproduced on the underlying sheets by transfer ofpigmented transfer media throughout an area corresponding to thepressure area to which the top sheet is subjected. After removal of theinscribed sheets froln the heated writing tablet, the coating oftransfer media returns to its normal inert condition.

In lieu of heating the writing tablet by electrical energy, suitablechemicals I4 may be introduced into the heater compartment 'I asindicated in Fig. 3, which by their reaction will generate suiiicientheat for the purpose. Material having such thermal reaction comprises anintermixture of iron filings and ammonium chloride which when water isadded will generate considerable heat, amply sufiicient for conditioningthe transfer material. Instead of a chemical mixture as mentioned, thebody Il within the heater compartment may be a charcoal brick, whichwhen ignited will burn quite slowly and supply the required heat. Insuch event the walls of the chamber 1 will be provided with smallVentilating openings.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a conventional autographic registerwherein continuous strips I5 of record material are advanced pastwriting position by feeding means actuated by the crank I6. Such feedingmeans is preferably, but not necessarily of pin wheel type engageable inmarginally punched holes I'I in the record strips. 'I'he Writing tabletI8 over which the strips are advanced is heated in one or another of themanners before described. The autographic register of Fig. 4 may beadapted to bodily receive the box-like unit illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3,which may be removably positioned therein.

As illustrated in Fig. 4 the unit of which the lwriting tablet forms thetop, and which embodies heating means as described may be used apartfrom the register cabinet and strip feeding means. In such case it isused with cut forms or sheets of material, an assembly I! of which isshown in Fig. 5. While Fig. 5 illustrates the material as carbon backedwherein the normally inert transfer material is applied dlrectly to thereverse sides of the forms, and subject to conditioning upon the heatedwriting tablet, it is to be understood that the normally inert transfermaterial may be applied to separate transfer sheets interleaved betweenthe superposed forms and conditioned for use as before described.

In order to conserve heat and maintain the device ready for use a cover20 is removably engaged with the unit in overlying relation with thewriting tablet.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a construction of the character described, possessing theparticular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, butwhich obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportionsand arrangement of parts, without departing from the principle involvedor sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention is described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural features, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specic detailsshown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise thepreferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect,and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A manifolding device for use with superposed plies of record materialand an interposed stratum of normally inert thermally responsivetransfer media including a box-like container, the top of which forms awriting tablet, a partition within the container dividing the same intoa heater compartment contiguous to the writing tablet and a storagecompartment, and a heater means within said heater compartment, by whichheat is transmitted to the transfer media for conditioning samepreparatory to transfer of indicia by pressure thereon.

I 2. Amanifolding device for use with superposed plies of recordmaterial and an interposed stratum of normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer media including a box-like container, the top ofwhich forms a writing tablet, a partition within the container dividingthe same into a heater compartment contiguous to the writing tablet anda storage compartment, and heat generating means in the heatercompartment, and a tempering compartment contiguous to the heatercompartment for storage of transfer media coated sheets in which thetransfer media upon the sheets is warmed preparatory to beingconditioned upon the writing tablet.

3. A manifolding device for use with super-posed plies of recordmaterial and an interposed stratum of normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer media including a container, the top of which formsa writing tablet, a storage space for transfer media coated sheetswithin the container, and a heater means common to the storagecompartment and the writing tablet supplying heat to each by which thetransfer media coated sheets are tempered in the storage compartmentpreparatory to being conditioned on the writing tablet for transfer ofindicia by pressure applied thereto. y

4. A manifolding device for use with superposed plies of record materialand an interposed stratum of normally inert thermally responsivetransfer media including a container, the top of which forms a writingtablet, a storage space for transfer media coated sheets within thecontainer, a heater compartment intermediate the storage compartment andthe writing tablet, and heat generating means therein supplying heat tothe storage compartment and to the tablet for tempering transfer mediacoated sheets in the storage compartment preparatory to furtherconditioning the transfer media thereon upon the writing tablet toenable transfer of indicia by pressure thereon.

5. A manifolding device for producing multiple communication copies withsuperposed plies of record material and an interposed stratum ofthermally responsive normally inert transfer media, characterized by a.heated writing tablet on which the record material and transfer mediaare disposed, from which heat is transmitted to such transfer media foractivating the media and rendering it responsive to pressure thereon,and means for heating the tablet.

6. A manifoldlng device for producing multiple communication copies withsuperposed plies of record material having therebetween a stratum ofthermally responsive normally inert transfer media capable of beingactivated by temperature increase, characterized by a writing tablet onwhich the record material and interposed transfer media are disposed,and a heater element associated with the writing tablet, supplying heattherethrough to condition the transfer media whereby it will becometemporarily responsive to pressure to effect a reproduction of thepressure area.

'7. A manifolding device for use with superposed plies of recordmaterial having therebetween a stratum of thermally responsive normallyinert transfer media capable of being activated by temperature increase,characterized by a writing tablet on which the record material andinterposed transfer media are disposed, and an electrical heater elementassociated with the writing tablet and supplying heat for conditioningthe transfer media preparatory to transfer of indicia by pressurethereon.

l 8. A manifolding device for use superposed of heat generating chemicalreactives associated with the writing tablet for supplying heat forconditioning the transfer media preparatory to transfer of indicia bypressure thereon.

9. An autographic register for use with normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material including a housing having storage spacefor a material supply, a writing tablet over which superposed plies ofrecord material may be advanced from a source of supply past a writingposition and heater means associated with the writing tablet by whichthe transfer material associated with the record material at writingposition will be conditioned preparatory to transier of indicia bypressure thereon.

10. An autographic register for use with normally inert thermallyresponsive transier material including a container for a supply ofrecord material, a writing tablet over which the record materialwithdrawn from the supply container may be disposed, and a heater meansfor conditioning the thermally responsive transfer material preparatoryto transfer of indicia by pressure upon the material disposed upon thewriting tablet. y f' l1'. A manifolding device for producing multiplecopies of indicia with superposed plies of record material and aninterposed stratum of thermally responsive normally inert transiermedia, characterized by a thermally insulated writing tablet on whichthe record material and transfer media may be disposed, and heatingmeans associated with the Writing tablet `from which heat is transmittedto such transfer iie'dla for activating the media and rendering itresponsive to pressure thereon.

12. A manifolding device for producing multiple copies of indicia withsuperposed plies of record material having therebetween a stratum ofthermally responsive normally inert transfer media capable of beingactivated by temperature increase, characterized by a writing tablet onwhich the record material and interposed transfer media may be disposed,and a heater element associated with the writing tablet, supplying heattherethrough to condition the transfer media whereby it will becometemporarily responsive to pressure to effect a reproduction of thepressure area. said Writing tablet being mounted upon a container inwhich is enclosed the heater element, and said heater element beinginsulated at all sides except at the writing tablet to prevent theAescape of heat except through the writing tablet.

13. An autographic register for use with norinally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material including a writing tablet on whichsuperposed plies of record material may be advanced from a source ofsupply past a writing position, and heater means associated with thewriting tablet by which the transfer material associated with the recordmaterial will be conditioned at writing position preparatory to transferof indicia by pressure thereon, said writing tablet constituting oneside of a container incorporating the heater means by which the writingtablet is heated.

14. In a manifolding register for use with superposed plies of recordmaterial having therebetween a stratum of normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material, a cabinet, record material feeding meansmounted therein, a magazine compartment in the cabinet for a supply ofrecord material, a heated writing tablet over which the record materialis advanced from the magazine compartment past a writing position by therecord material feeding means, and a heating means associated with thewriting tablet for conditioning the record material passing thereoverpreparatory to transfer of indicia by pressure thereon.

15. In a manifolding register for use with s11- perposed plies of recordmaterial having therebetween a stratum of normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material, a cabinet, record material feeding meansmounted therein, a magazine compartment in the cabinet for a supply ofrecord material, a demountable unit forming a part of the register andnormally positioned within the cabinet including a writing tablet overwhich the record material is advanced from the magazine compartment bythe feeding means, and heater means associated with the writing tabletfor conditioning the record material disposed thereon, said unit beingbodily removable from the cabinet for independent use apart from thecabinet and feeding means.

16. An autographic register for use with normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material including a writing tablet over whichsuperposed portions of record material and interposed strata of transfermaterial may be disposed in writing position, heater means associatedwith the writing tablet for thermally conditioning the transfer materialand a cover adjustable into and out of overlying relation with thewriting tablet for conserving the heat when the register is not in use.

17. The combination with a manifolding register cabinet including asupply compartment for record material and strip guiding and feedingmeans for advancing the record material from :the supply cot into-awriting position in association with normally inert thermally responsivetransfer material, of heated tablet over which the record material isadvanced from the supply compartment into the writing position inassociation with the transfer material, heater means associated with thetablet, the tablet and heater means comprising a unitary assembly whichis bodily removable from the register cabinet for use apart therefrom..

18. The combination with a manifolding register cabinet including asupply compartment for record material and strip guiding and feedingmeans for advancing the record material from the supply compartment intoa writing position in association with normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material, and a heated transfer materialconditioning surface over which the record material is advanced intowriting position, and heater means associated with the conditioningsurface` 19. A manifolding register for use with superposed portions ofrecord material and an interposed stratum of normally inert thermallyresponsive transfer material, including a heated conditioning surface inassociation with which the record and interposed transfer materials arepositioned preparatory to receiving inscriptions thereon, and heatermeans associated with said surface for supplying transfer materialconditioning heat thereto.

20. A manifolding register for use with record material and associatednormally inert thermally responsive transfer material, including awriting tablet relative to which the record and transfer material may bepositioned to receive an inscription thereon, and a heater meansassociated with the writing tablet for preconditioning the transfermaterial positioned on the writing tablet preparatory to transferringthe received inscription.

21. A manifolding device wherein a normally inert thermally responsivematerial is utilized with aheat transfer means for activating thematerial by temperature change in producing an inscribed record,characterized by a writing tablet upon which the material is disposedfor inscribing purposes, and heater means associated with the tablet foractivating the material.

22. A manifolding device wherein a sheet o thermally responsive materialnormally inert and incapable of registering record impressions isutilized with a heat transfer means in producing an inscribed record,characterized b y a writing tablet upon which the material is disposedfor inscribing purposes, and heater means associated with the writingtablet for preconditioning the material.

^ 23. A manifolding device wherein a sheet of thermally responsivematerial normally inert and incapable of registering record impressionsis utilized with a heat transfer means in producing an inscribed record,characterized by a heated writing tablet upon which the material isdisposed for inscribing purposes, and heater means for transmitting heatto the tablet and the material for preconditioning the materialpreparatory to registering record impressions.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN.

